Colorado is known for the snow, and to live here and not ski or snowboard must be a sin. But we exist. Outsiders, living on the fringe of Colorado society, who frown at the first snow and don’t know the difference between powder and corn. A day spent tumbling downhill in soggy clothes just doesn’t … Read more
Colorado has the good fortune of a “perfect storm” of conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. Mountainous terrain coupled with just-the-right-latitude brings us abundant winter snow, and that famed 300 days of sunshine per year make it all the more fun. It’s no surprise that we refer to the stuff as champagne powder — it’s light … Read more
Like diamond dust sprayed on black velvet, shattered particles of light glisten in a crystalline winter sky. Overhead, the Milky Way spills a swath of creamy luminescence that flows through the celestial hemisphere. Stars glimmer with galactic intensity, undimmed by the glare of civilization. I stand mesmerized by the spectacle so seldom seen by city … Read more
If you’re planning a Colorado ski or snowboard trip, Vail and Aspen aren’t the only options to find fresh powder, exciting trails and the canopy of the Rocky Mountain blue skies. In the southwest corner of Colorado, Durango offers intriguing alternatives. Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort, 25 miles south of Durango, No. 1 Skier Place, … Read more
Looking for some Christmas enchantment? No doubt you will find yuletide magic in Colorado’s high country. While many Colorado mountain towns are celebrating the season in special style, here’s what’s happening in December 67 miles west of Denver in Grand County. Granby Dec. 11: Chili Christmas – Enjoy food, activities and holiday spirit for a … Read more
Last Dec. 31, the crisp air at the trailhead between Leadville and Vail felt invigorating. I had been looking forward to this day since March when I’d first thrown my name into the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association’s lottery system. Because I simply filled out an application and sent in the $25 membership fee, 16 … Read more
A father with three grown children in tow waits in the ticket office next to Chair No. 20 at the Vail Cascade Resort and Spa. He is seeking ski pass information, and makes his requests with an urgent, almost frantic tone. Only two hours are left to ski that afternoon. The clerk obliges calmly and … Read more
Colorado state parks don’t close just because it’s winter. They offer an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities, no matter the season. Vega State Park, about 50 miles east of Grand Junction at the northeast edge of the Grand Mesa National Forest, is one park that serves the needs of winter enthusiasts. At 8,000 feet, the … Read more